average things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "average things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to items, experiences, or qualities that are typical or not exceptional. Example: "In a world filled with extraordinary achievements, sometimes it's refreshing to appreciate average things, like a simple meal or a quiet evening at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

These motes are a perfect example of averagely powerful Things (or average Things for short) that, from our perspective, will compose the future IoT/WoT (average power, but modern execution environment) and that are targeted by our middleware.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Average things.

The New Yorker

Average things won't do.

The Guardian

"You don't want to sit back and do average things and have people never know who you are".

The New York Times

In both programs, Funt secretly recorded average Joes doing average things, sometimes with roadblocks he set up for drama.

The Washington Post

I myself find a useful rule of thumb when in India to double the estimated road time and average things out.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Lifeguarding was probably the most average thing I did".

The New York Times

"It was just an average thing - there weren't any alarm bells ringing or anything".

BBC

The average thing coming out of Y Combinator is probably a half to three-quarters of what it was [in terms of valuation in recent years].

TechCrunch

And it wasn't just your average thing".

Los Angeles Times

I believe I'll die of heart disease, because that's the average thing to do.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider whether a more specific adjective than "average" would better convey your intended meaning. For example, instead of "average things", try "typical issues" or "common problems".

Common error

Avoid using "average things" when you can provide more detail. Saying "average things happen daily" is less informative than specifying "common challenges arise daily" in a business context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "average things" functions as a noun phrase where "average" modifies the noun "things". The phrase describes items, experiences, or qualities that are typical or not exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "average things" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as stated by Ludwig AI, used to refer to commonplace items or experiences. While it is not exceptionally frequent, occurring uncommonly across various contexts, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using "average things", consider whether greater specificity would enhance clarity and impact. While "average things" is generally acceptable, more precise language might be preferable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordinary matters

Replaces "average" with "ordinary", emphasizing the commonplace nature of the subjects.

typical items

Substitutes "average" with "typical" and "things" with "items", focusing on representative examples.

commonplace objects

Uses "commonplace" to highlight the lack of uniqueness and "objects" for concrete items.

standard affairs

Replaces "average" with "standard", indicating conformity to a norm, and "things" with "affairs" suggesting matters or events.

run-of-the-mill stuff

Employs a colloquial expression to convey the idea of unremarkable items.

general aspects

Focuses on features that are widely applicable and not specific or detailed.

usual circumstances

Highlights the normality of the situations or events in question.

garden-variety elements

Uses a descriptive term implying ordinariness and simplicity.

conventional components

Indicates that the parts or pieces are following accepted practices or standards.

customary details

Refers to well-established practices or elements within a given context.

FAQs

How can I use "average things" in a sentence?

You can use "average things" to describe commonplace or typical items, experiences, or qualities. For example, "Despite his wealth, he still enjoyed "average things" like a simple cup of coffee and a walk in the park."

What's a good alternative to "average things"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ordinary matters", "typical items", or "commonplace objects".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "average things"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize the typical or unremarkable nature of certain items or experiences, often to contrast them with something extraordinary or unexpected.

Is "average things" formal or informal?

The phrase "average things" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language might be preferred in highly formal settings.